Observation window for furnaces



Jun 18, 1929. v s-n 1,717,637

OBSERVATION WINDOW FOR FURNACES Filed Aug. 24, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 y l20 H L h 40 A I I I A 9 7 I I I 1 I 1 1 (:5 I 1 I [4 /Z Z7 257K I v *7 5June 18, 1929.

R. P. VASTINE 1,717,637

OBSERVATION WINDOW FOR FURNACES Filed Au 24; 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 June18, 1929. R. P. VASTINE 1,717,637

OBSERVATION WINDOW FOR FURNACES Filed Aug. 24, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 WQT 62 57 5a June 18, 1929. p, VA$T|NE. 1,717,637

OBSERVATION WINDOW FOR FURNACES Filed Aug. 24, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 gutar-27:72": BgyPU&sZ-ine.

Patented June 18; 1929.

UNITED STATES amen eArsnrorriee;

RAY P. VASTINE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE M. VASTINE, OF

1 CHICAGG, ILLINOIS.

OBSERVATION WINDOW FOR FURNACES Application filed August 24, 1925.Serial No. 51,959.

This invention relates to a device for perniitting the interior of afurnace or the like to be viewed from without, without necessitating theiu cning of any doors or closures. it is particularly desirable to viewthe interior of furnaces or the like to ascertain the character of thecombustion or the manner in which the heat therein isetfecting theelements being treated without having to open a door or a peep hole, assuch opening causes a loss in elliciency due to either the cold draft onthe heated parts in the furnace or a flare back of the heat from saidfurnace. Ordinarily no transparent material r such as glass will standthe high heat of the furnace in order to permit its use in a device ofthis kind. In my copending application, Serial No. 746,962, I describeda manner in which he heat might be so rechiced near the exterior of theopening in a side of the furnace so that glass or similar substancemight be used in said opening for the closure thereof.

it is an object of this invention to provide an improved means forreducing the heat near the exterior of the opening.

It is further an important object of this invention to provide a deviceof the class described in the above mentioned copenijling applicationwhich will provide a maximum view of the interimof the furnace. It isalso an object of this inventim'i to provide a device of this type whichis simple and rugged, which may be economically manufi'ictured andconveniently installed and used. c

it is further an important objectof this invention to provide a deviceof this type having a forced draft circulation for reducing the heattransferred to the outer end of the observation passage.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparentfrom the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying drawings.

This invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings andhereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a detail side elevational view of a device embodying thisinvention, with parts omitted and detached from the furnace.

Figure 2 is an enlarged horizontal fragmentary section with partsremoved taken at the line II-II of Figure 1. t

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary frontelevational view with partsomitted of the device shown in Figure 1 showing the same attached. to afurnace. i t

Figure 4 is an enlarged verticallongitudinal fragmentary section withparts omitted taken at the line 1V-IV of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a, transverse vertical section with parts omitted'taken atthe line V-V of Figure 1. y

Figure 6 is a detail enlarged fragnicntary vertical transverse sectionwith parts omitted taken at the line VI-VI of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is-a side elevational view of a modified form of the deviceembodying this invention showing the same in position in the side of thefurnace.

Figure 8 is a vertical longitudinal fragn'ientary' enlarged section withparts omitted of the device shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail fragmentary view with parts omitted ofmeans for automatically controlling the flow of air around the outerglass plates otthe device.

Figure 10 is an enlarged detail horizontal fragmentary sectional viewtaken at the line X X of Figure 8 with parts omitted.

As shown on the drawings:

Referring to Figure l which illustri ites a device embodying thisinvention for use on furnace doors, there shown a hollow outer casing lof rectangular flaring cross section which din'iinishcs the intensity ofradiation from the furnace aswell as increases the view obtainabletherethrough. The casing 1 is provided with transverse integral annularribs 2 on its exterior to provide a greater surface to radiate the heatconducted through the walls thereof. The outer end of the casing 1provided with an integral flange 3 and the inner end of said casing isprovided with an integral annular flanged. An annular supporting member5 receives therein on the right side thereof flange 3 and on the leftside thereof it receives a rectangular shaped rim 6. (3' (Figure 3)extend through the rim 6,

the annular member 5 and the flange 3 for clamping said annular memberlJiet-ween said a rim and said flange. At the upper end of the rim 6 isa pair of forwardly extending integral supports 'Twhrch pivotallysupport Suitable bolts.

' edge of the. rim 6 through a recess in the upper edge of a verticallyextending integral portion 13011 the annular member and into saidchamber 10. Integral with the annular.

member 5 and 'coi'nn'iunicating with the chamber 10 1S a hollow portion1 l. The portion 14 is flanged at its bottom edge and 'is provided withhearing members near its lower edges forsupporting a transverselyextending rodi15 (Figure 6) which has pfivotally mounted thereon acircular clo sure plate 16. The plate 16 is balanced by an integral arm17 which is deflected out of the plane of said plate. lVhen the plate 16is closed, the arm 17 will extend upwardly and when the plate 16 is openthe arm 17 will assume a horizontal position. Secured to theflangeon'the lower edge of the portion 14 is a plate 18. The plate 18 isprovided with a circular aperture 19 on the right side thereof as viewedin Figure 6 which when the plate 16 is closed communicates with thebottom side of the latter and is closed thereby. The plate 18 is alsoprovided with an integral hollow cylindrical member 20 communicatingwith'the'interior of the portion 14cfby a suitable opening in "saidplateheneath the arm 17 so that when the latter is in horizontalposition it will abut the plate 18 at the left edge of said opening. I

Extending inwardly from the rim (3 integraltherewith and communicatingwith the outer side thereof by a central opening therein is aninnercasing 21 spaced from the outer-casing to provide a space or passagethcrebetween for the circulation of a cooling medium. The casing 21converges from its outer end-to its inner end in the same inanner as theouter casing 1 and is of rectangular cross section, the sides thereofbeing substantially parallel to the sides of the outer casing 1.Longitudinal outwardly eX- 7 tending ntegral 1ll)S 21 are provided onthe 7 sides of the casing 21'. Extending across of the interior of thefurnace.

the outer opening of the inner casing21 is a grid 22, which tends ,tofurther decrease the radiation toward the glass without mate"riallyobstructing observation therethrough are provided on oppositevertical sides of the grid 22 for securing said grid to the rim her 10.

Flanges 23 ally extending apertures 26 near its inner end.

The inner frame 9 has mounted therein a rectangularly shaped glass orsubstantially transparent plate 27 which is aligned with the grids 22and 24 but which is considerably larger in area. than the outer end ofthe casing 21. The frame 9 is also provided with a horizontal transverseaperture 28 in its upper portion anda similar aperture 29 in its lowerportion. The rim 6 is formed with a recess 30 communicating with theaperture 2S) and having its edges snugly fitting the inner edges of thelatter. A horizontal transverse aperture or port 31 in the rim 6connects the recess 30 with the cham- Surrounding the bolt 12 at itsinner end is a compression spring 32 held against rearward movement onsaid bolt by a diametrically positioned pin 33 inthe end of said bolt. Awasher 34 surrounds the bolt 12 inwardly of the upwardly extendingportion 13 and is ahutted by the forward end of the spring 32. Asuitable dog 35 is formed on the outer end of the bolt 12 and is adaptedto engage with depending lugs 36 on the lower ed ge of the outer frame 8for holding both frames closed against the rim 6. The

plates27 and 37 are spaced apart to provide a passage for thecirculation of a cooling medium as explained hereinafter.

Rotatably secured on the lower end of the cylindricalmember 20 is oneend of an elbow connect-ion 3'8. Rotatably secured on the. other end ofthe connection 38 is a hollow cylindrical member 39 which slidablyreceives a second hollow cylindrical member 40. The latter is rotatablysecured to one end of a second elbow connection 411. The second elbow 11has rotatably secured thereto at the other end thereof a'cylindricalmember 42. The member 42 is rigidly secured to a flange l3. j Y I Thedevice may be'connected to a furnace as shownin Figure 1, the flange 4being secured to th e'ou'ter wall of'said furnace. The wall of thefurnace should be apertured to communicate'with the interior of thecasing 1, said aperture diverging from beneath the flange a toward'theinterior of the furnace. The flange 43 may be connected to i the side ofthe furnace. A cooling medium, air, for instance, may be forced upthrough the flexible connection comprising the members to 42inclusiveand the member'20 for entering the hollow portion 14 byconnecting the cylindrical member 42 to a separate blower, or in casethe closed ash pit system of forced draft is used by connecting saidmember 42 to the ash pit. In'case the closed the room system of forceddraft or natural diaft is used, the air may enter the portion 14 throughthe aperture 19, the plate 16 being light enough to be lifted by theair. From the interior of the portion 14 the air will flow upwardly intothe chamber 10, some of it flowing rcarwardly around the outer pei'iliery of the inner casing 21 and over the rear edge of the latterthrough-the grid 24 into the'furnace. Some of the air which flowsrearwardly around the outer periphery of the casing 2l. will flowthrough the holes 26 into the interior of said casing and thence throughthe grid 24 to the furnace. A large portion of the air will flow throughthe aperture 31 to the aperture 29, thence between the plates 27 and 37through the aperture 28 and downwardly past the rear sideof the plate27. From the rear side ofthe plate 27 the last mentioned portion of air.will flow through the grid into the casing 21 and out through the grid24- to the furnace.

In Fi ures 7 to inclusive there is shown a modihed form of the device.In this form an outer casing 44 of rectangular cross section isprovided, said casing having longitudinal integral outwardly extendingribs 44 on the sides thereof. The casing 44 extends into a suitableconverging recess 44 in the side of the furnace wall. "An inwardlydiverging aperture 45 in the furnace wall communicates with the innerend of the reccss 414. The outer end of the casing 44 is provided withan annular flange 46 having an integral forwardly extending rim 47 onthe outer periphery thereof. A rectangularly shaped rim 48 suitablysecured to the outer end of the casing 44 within the rim 47 and spacedfrom the flange 46 by means of a shoulder (not shown) in the latter toform with said flange and said rim 47 an annular recess.

Connected to the bottom side of the flange 46 and the rim 48 andcomn'iunicating with the above mentioned annular recess containedtherebetween is a removable box 49 containing a valve such as that shownin Figure 6. The valve in the box 49 may con'nnunicate with either {llseparate forced draft means or the atmosphere in the fire room asdesired in the same manner as in the previous embodiment.

Rearwardly extending from the rim 48 and integral therewith is arectangular cross sectioned inner casing 50 having longitudiat the innerend of the casing Forwardly extending lugs are provided at the loweredge of the rim 48 for supporting a shaft 03 on which are pivoted aninner and'an outer door or fran'ic 54 and 55 respectively. The fran'ies54 and 55 are provided with glass plates 54 and 55, respectively,similar to the plates 27 and37 respectively of the previous embodiment.A pair of forward ly extending bolts 56 are oppositely support- .ed atthe upper sides of the rim 48 by means of a pair o'l'baperturedlaterally extending cars 57 on said rim. "Rearwardly positioned fromeach car 57 and aligned therewith is an ear'58 secured lo the rim 47.Compression s n'ings 59 surrounding each bolt 56 are compressedbetweenthe cars 57 and 58. A washer 60 is mounted on each bolt 56 between theforward end of its respective spring and car A diametrical pin(llextends through the end ofeach bolt and is abutted by the rear end ofits respective spring for holdingsaid bolts rcarwardly against said ears58. Dogs62 on the forward ends of the bolts 56 engage with lateral lugs63 on the outer frame 55 for holding the same in closed position.

The inner frame 54 is provided in its lower. side with av horizontaltransverse aperture 64 and in its upper side provided with a similaraperture 65. The rim48 is provided with a recess 66 adjacent theaperture and has a plurality of apertures or ports 67 0X- tendingtherethrough communicating with said recess. A transverse rod 68 issupported inwardly of the apertures 67 in a pair of oppositely disposedguide members 69 secured to the inner side of the rim 48 by flanges 70.The guide. members 69 have sloping recesses therein for permitting therod 68 when released to slide downwardly in said recesses and close theapertures 67; 'A. pair of rearwardlyextending pins 7]. se'curedjto theframe 54 and normally extending through the recesses 66 and. apertures67 adapted to hold the rod 68 away from said apertures 67 when saidframe is in closed position. A removable plate 72 is adapted to close anopening between the forward upper edge of the rim 47 and the upper edgeof the rim 48. The on or frame 55 is provided with a horizontaltransverse recess 73 adjacent the outer end of the aperture 65 and asimilar recess 74 adjacent the outer end of the aperture 64. The rim 47'at the vertical edges thereof is provided with a pair of apertures whichare i'iormally closed by means of removable plates 7 5. The air may flowup through the box 49 into the space between the inner and outer casingspast rod 68 through the apertures 67, the recess 66, the

aperture 65, the recess 73, downwardly between the glass plates 1n theframe 54 and '55, past the recess 74 through the aperture 64 upwardlypast the inner face of the glass plate in sa d frame 54, through thegrid 51 .and into the furnace in opposition to the thermal radiationtherefrom. If the frames are opened, the pin 71 secured to the frame 54willflallow the rod 68- to close the apertures: G7 and thus prevent theflow of air through said apertures,'thus protecting any one who mightopen said frames from a flare of hot air through saidapertures, without.

discontinuing or affecting the iiow of the cooling air thru thesupporting casing. In case natural draft s used, the flow of air may beincreased by removing the plates 72' and 7 5 and even the box 49 andconnections thereto. It will be apparent to those engaged in theoperation and construction of furnaces and the like. that Ihave'provided a device whichmay be. economically manuvention, and Itherefore do not purpose limgrids.

iting the patent granted hereon. otherwise than necessitatedhy'the priorart.

I claim as my invention: 7

Lb a device of the class described, a casing, a second casin within saidfirst casiiig, a pair of separately movable transparent doors supportedat the outer end of one of said casings for normally closing the sameand means foradmitting air to the space between said casings, therebeing means communicating with said space for circulating air betweensaid doors.

2. In combination, a combustion chamber enclosure having an openingtherethrough, heat reducing meansin said opening, and a plurality ofseparatelymovable observation closures hingedly mounted to normallyclose the outer end of said means.

3. In a device of the character described, a pair of'spaced casings, anda pair of independently movable closures pivotally mounted on the outerend of one of said casings to normally close. the same.

4. In a device of the character described, tubular means, a plurality ofgrids graduated with respect to their planar areas spaced in saidtubular means, a transparent closure for said tubular 'means, and meansfor admitting a cooling medium through said grids from passagesindividual to said 5. An observation device for combustion chamberenclosures including comprising an outer casing, an inner casing spacedfrom said outer casing, said inner casing having an open inner end, agrid disposed in the outer end of said inner casing, a grid disposed inthe inner endof said outer casing, and an observation. closure for oneof said casings. '6. In combination, a furnace including a wall havingan'opening therein, a tubular spaced member. disposed in said opening,and an observation closures for said member supportedby and, spaced fromthe inner and means responsive to theopening of said closure for cuttingon the communication between said passages.

8. In a device of the class described, a casing, a second-casingdisposed within and spaced from said first-mentioned casing to providean air passage therebetween, an annular outwardly-extending rim onsaid'sec- 0nd casing, a pair of observation closures hinged to said rim,said closures having a second air passagetherebetween, said rim havingapertures therethrough establishing communication between said airpassages, a rod in. inclined supports, and means connected to saidclosures to hold said rod away from said apertures when said closuresare closed and to permit said rod to close said apertures when saidclosures are opened.

'9.*In a device of the class described, a first and outer casing, asecond casing partially disposed within said outer casing and spacedtherefrom to provide an air passage therebetween, a pair of observationclosures hinged to one of said casings adjacent the outerend thereof,said closures being spaced apart toprovide an air passage therebetweenin communication with said first-mentioned air passage,resilient' meansto maintain said closures in closed position, and means communicatingwith said passages permitting the use of either natural or forced draft.

10. In combination, a combustion chamber enclosure having an openingtherethrough,

a casing communicating with the interior of said chamber through saidopening, a second casing in said first mentioned casing and spacedtherefrom to provide an air passage therebetween, means for admittingair to said passage, a. pairof substantially transparent closuresadjacent the outer end of one of said casings, said closures defining anair space therebetween, said air space being in communication with saidpassage and means for automatically closing off said communication whensaid closures are opened.

11. In combination, a combustion chamber enclosure having an openingtherethrough, a casing extending into said opening, means formaintaining said casing in spaced relationship to the walls of saidopening, means for admitting a cooling medium in the space between saidcasing and said walls, a pair of movable closures adjacent the outer endof said casing, said closures having a space therebetween for thecirculation of a cooling medium, said spaces being in communication witheach other, and means cutting ofl said communication when said closuresare opened.

12. In combination, a combustion chamber enclosure having an openingtherethrough, a casing extending into said opening, means for supportingsaid casing in spaced relationship to the walls of said opening, asubstantially transparent closure for said casing, and means foradmitting a cooling medium between said casing and said walls and tosaid combustion chamberthrough a plurality of paths.

13. In a device of the character described, nested casings in spacedrelationship, a plurality of apertured grids in said casings, said gridsdecreasing in their planar areas in an inward direction, a substantiallytransparent pair of movable closures for one of said casings having aspace th'erebetween in communication with the space between saidcasings, means fol-admitting a cooling medium into the space betweensaid casings, and means responsive to the opening of said closures forcutting off said cooling 'medi um from the space between said closures.

14. In a device of the character described, a pair of substantiallynested casings, the inner casing substantially closing the outer end ofthe outer casing, and aplurality of independently movable closurespivoted to the outer portion of said inner casing.

15. In a device of the character described, a pair of substantiallynested casings spaced apart to provide a passage therebetween, a pair ofobservation closures hinged to one of said casings for. closing theouter end thereof, said closures having a passage therebetween incommunication with said first mentioned passage, and means for admittinga cooling medium into one of said passages.

In testimony whereof I havehereunto subscribed my name.

RAY P. VASTIN E.

